Tag College of Letters & Science
From stem cells to technology, the next Wisconsin RISE initiative focuses on improving health
The next focus area of the Wisconsin RISE Initiative, RISE-THRIVE, is set to harness and grow the university's reputation as a global powerhouse in interdisciplinary health research — translating both medical discoveries and innovative social science approaches into tangibly healthier lives for Wisconsinites and people and communities around the world.
National scholarship will allow UW student to continue inventive historical research
Axell Boomer, a senior from South Beloit, Illinois, is one of 19 college undergraduates nationwide to receive a Beinecke Scholarship this year. He is majoring in history and religious studies with honors in the liberal arts and honors in history. He anticipates graduating in the spring of 2025 and intends to pursue a doctorate in history.
Earth-sized planet discovered in ‘our solar backyard’
A team of astronomers have discovered a planet closer and younger than any other Earth-sized world yet identified. It’s a remarkably hot world whose proximity to our own planet and to a star like our sun mark it as a unique opportunity to study how planets evolve.
Video: Helping students tell their stories through poetry
ALL Stories brings local authors into schools and community organizations to help encourage and inspire young writers.
Commencement spotlight: From uncertain future to clinical doctorate, a three-time Badger shares her story
Yasmeena Ougayour, who credits her parents for instilling in her the desire and the skills to pursue higher education, will earn her third diploma from the University of Wisconsin–Madison this May.
Big discoveries, lofty goals highlight astronomy Investiture panel
The rise of new technologies to help answer fundamental questions about the universe was a common theme among the three panelists.
Meet the 2023 Distinguished Teaching Award recipients
Twelve faculty members have been chosen to receive this year’s Distinguished Teaching Awards, an honor given out since 1953 to recognize some of the university’s finest educators.
SuccessWorks helps Letters & Science students translate majors into careers
SuccessWorks, in the College of Letters & Science, collaborates with students early in their career exploration process to match majors and interests to future careers.
Botany professor first to receive new Rebecca Blank Professorship
Professor of Botany Katherine McCulloh will hold the inaugural appointment created to honor Blank's leadership and service and to celebrate recently tenured faculty who mirror her commitment to UW–Madison.
Seed strategy can help restore a biodiversity hotspot
Seeding longleaf pine understories with a mix of native savanna species could help restore one of North America's most biodiverse ecosystems.
Study maps uneasy future of Wisconsin trout populations
Climate change has affected Wisconsin trout species differently: Populations of smaller, brightly colored brook trout have declined, while numbers of larger brown trout have generally increased.
UW–Madison’s Michael Morgan confirmed as assistant secretary in the Department of Commerce
As deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Morgan will be responsible for providing agency-wide direction regarding weather, water, climate and ocean observations and the process of converting observations to predictions for environmental threats.
Noyes assumes chief of staff duties
Jennifer Noyes, who has served in a variety of key positions at UW–Madison and in state government, will serve both Interim Chancellor Karl Scholz and incoming Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, coordinating administrative issues and projects.
Cronon returns for final words shared from the heart
William Cronon, who retired in 2020 as Frederick Jackson Turner and Vilas Research Professor of History, Geography, and Environmental Studies, returned to campus recently to deliver the keynote address at "Common Places: Keywords for a More Than Human World," a conference held in his honor by Cronon's former PhD students.
UW mourns an important mathematician and beloved mentor
Georgia Benkart, emeritus professor of mathematics, died unexpectedly on April 29. “Each of her papers was a polished gem,” a colleague says of Benkart. Among many professional distinctions, she served as president of the Association for Women in Mathematics in 2009–11.
Headed in the write direction
The Greater Madison Writing Project at UW–Madison works with teachers in rural Wisconsin school districts, such as Jessica White in Gresham, to offer professional development for educators as well as enrichment opportunities for students and young adult writers.
Dave Black inspired many student journalists at WSUM 91.7
He took special pride in mentoring students, empowering them to make the station truly student-run and use the skills they’ve learned to grow professionally.
Jerome Chazen leaves lasting impact on UW–Madison and the arts
“Jerry was deeply devoted to the arts and to education,” says Chancellor Rebecca Blank. “His commitment to UW–Madison will live on in the Chazen Museum of Art and the many lives he touched.”
How does a spider weave its web?
Integrative Biology Professor Prashant Sharma’s lab studies spiders and their ancestors to ask questions about how their unique forms, such as spinnerets, came about.
UW astronomer tracks galaxies’ “growth spurts” using the new James Webb Space Telescope
Using powerful telescopes and spectroscopy, Michael Maseda studies images of hundreds of galaxies, trying to answer some of the thorniest questions about how they began.